Diagnosis

In most cases, your doctor can identify pityriasis rosea simply by looking at the rash. He or she may take a small scraping of the rash for testing, as this condition can sometimes be confused with ringworm (tinea corporis).

Treatment

In most cases, pityriasis rosea goes away on its own in four to 10 weeks. If the rash doesn't disappear by then or if the itching is bothersome, talk with your doctor about treatments that can help. The condition clears up without scarring and usually doesn't recur.

Medications

If home remedies don't ease symptoms or shorten the duration of pityriasis rosea, your doctor may prescribe medicine. Examples include:

Corticosteroids

Antihistamines

Antiviral drugs, such as acyclovir (Zovirax)

Light therapy

Exposure to natural or artificial sunlight may help the rash fade. Light therapy may cause lasting darkening in certain spots, even after the rash clears.

A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.